An urgent call has been issued for thousands of blood donors to come forward as the cold and flu season takes hold.
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Lifeblood is urging 8500 people with O and A blood groups to roll up their sleeves in the first two weeks of June.
There are 2500 donors needed in NSW and a further 2600 in Victoria while 300 people are called on in the ACT.
It comes as about 2000 donors each week are cancelling and rescheduling appointments with cold and flu symptoms.
Lifeblood's Cath Stone said this was at a higher level than last year.
"We are expecting those cancellations to increase over the coming weeks so are asking people with O and A blood types to book a donation," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
More than 80 per cent of the population has an O or A blood type and fewer than seven per cent have the universal O Negative.
Where donors are needed in the next fortnight:
- ACT: 300
- NSW: 2500
- Tasmania: 350
- Victoria: 2600
- Queensland: 1100
- Western Australia: 1000
- Northern Territory: 100
Door opens for more donors
More people could become eligible to donate plasma after the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the removal of sexual activity rules.
It means anyone would be allowed to donate plasma regardless of their sexual activity if they were otherwise eligible.
![Lifeblood is urgently calling for 8500 blood donors in the next fortnight. Picture by Lifeblood Lifeblood is urgently calling for 8500 blood donors in the next fortnight. Picture by Lifeblood](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/206436302/3f5e08db-f907-4cf6-953c-7eb1c1fae84a.jpg/r0_204_4000_2462_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Sexually active gay and bisexual men are among those who have been affected by the rules.
The approval still requires agreement from Australian governments and CSL Behring which processes the plasma into medication.
The change would be a world-first.
For information or to book an appointment visit lifeblood.com.au